Crafting 101

Well, June is over so this is my last post regarding teaching you everything (well, most everything) that I know about crocheting. To sum up what we’ve learned, hmmm, I taught you the basic stitches - single, double, half and triple crochet, you learned to chain and how to make several granny squares and several small projects. I hope that you had fun!

To end the month, I wanted to show you how your afghan should be looking after putting at least four squares together. I used four of my squares so far. You can see I still have my yarn attached to continue with more. The white is making the pink really pop! (You can see my youngest trying to get in the picture! He wants the afghan already. If he only realized it was pink!)
Sometimes it’s easier to make your afghan in strips. Like if I kept going, I’d add two more to the top two squares. I’d just continue on in strips. Once I got to where I wanted to stop, I’d make another strip. Once you do the strips, it’s easier to join along just one long side than going back and forth. But it’s totally up to you!

Give me a couple of weeks and hopefully I’ll be able to show you a complete afghan with all these different pink squares. It’ll be interesting to see! I hope that you will send me pictures of your completed afghan as well for all to see!

Tomorrow I will post a schedule of what we’ll be making and what we’ll be doing during the month of July with sewing! It’ll be fun! I hope you will join us!

Today I’m going to help you to join your squares that you put the border on yesterday. It’s rather simple and you can do it many ways. The way I’m showing you will give it a decorate border between the squares, just something different. You can easily change it up if you want to.

First off, take your squares and lay them out in four square sections. Take two squares and put them back to back. You want to line them up so the corners are even. You might run into the problem of some squares seeming to be larger than others, but it’s easy to fix.

You want to join your yarn with a slip stitch to the corner of the square facing you. Chain 2 and then put a single crochet in the single crochet of the other granny square. This is joining the two granny squares together so that you can work between them.

Then you will make a double crochet in the next stitch of the granny square in front. Single crochet in the single crochet on the granny square in the back. You’ll continue this across both granny squares until you come to the end.

Your work should look like this picture.  If you find that your squares are uneven, then you can put either two double crochets in one stitch or two single crochets in one stitch depending on if it’s the back granny square that is uneven or the front granny square. You will be able to see it and figure it out.

Now you’ve come to the corner. This is very simple too. It’s time to join a third square. You’ll find that you might have to go around several squares then fasten off and start with another side of the square or start joining more squares together. Everything is the same. You just continue along the edge, double crochet in the next stitch on the front granny square and single crochet in the corner stitch of a new square in the back. Then go across that side of the square. When you get to the corner, if you have another square to add, join that one on.

Tomorrow I will post my completed project and show you have to make a border on the afghan. Also, if you don’t like how the single crochets look, you can always make it a double crochet. There are many ways to join the squares, this is just something I made up for you to try that’s pretty simple.

Remember that July is sewing month! I’m excited to start whipping out sewing projects like crazy! July 1st I will post the schedule of what we will accomplish during the month of July. So grab your sewing machine, thread and lots of fabric! TTFN!

My apologies for not posting yesterday. The day got away from me and the husband and I actually went to see a movie for the first time in over a year. But on we go!

Remember all those granny squares that we made? We made five total. I’m not sure if you have just those five or if you’ve made more than that. It doesn’t matter, you’re going to need to gather them all for this project which will take the next couple of days to complete.

For today, you’re going to need to get a nice contrasting solid color that compliments the other color or colors you’ve used in the squares. I did all my squares in pink so I picked white. We are going to be joining these squares to make an afghan with them. Depending on how many squares you made will determine how big your afghan will be.

With your contrasting color, you’re going to need to create a border around each square so that we can join them later. Take your contrasting color and join it to one of the corners of your first square with a slip stitch. Chain 1 then in that same corner, sc two more times. Along each side you are going to put on sc in each stitch and 2 sc in each space (most are chain 2 spaces). There are 3 sc in each corner. When you go around each side and come back to the beginning, join with a slip stitch, fasten off and weave in your ends. You need to do this to each of your squares. The only square that will be different is the Oval Eye square. The corners are different so you’ll need to put 6 sc in each corner.

Once you’ve done this around all your squares, you’ll be ready for tomorrow’s assignment – to join them together with a neat border. So be sure they are all done because once we start the border, you can’t add anymore to it.

See you tomorrow!

Today’s fun project is a tissue holder that will perfectly hold a package of travel size tissues. Great for your purse or bag or where ever you can imagine! One good thing is there’s no sewing! I will show you how to join the sides without having to sew. Enjoy!

Tissue Holder
by Pamela Foreman

1 Skein of cotton yarn
H hook
needle
scissors

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sp - space
nx - next
beg - beginning
yo - yarn over

Directions:

Row 1: Ch 18, dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc across (17 dc)

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, dc in same sp, dc across (17 dc)

Rows 3 - 12: Repeat Row 2

To finish the holder, we will now be working along the edges. This is where I switched to yellow to help show you have I did it, but you can use whatever color you were using.

Ch 1, sc in same sp then sc crochet to the last dc, in the last dc put 2 sc. Now we are going to work along the side. Put 3 sc in each space created by the dc. Continue along the side until you get to the end, then put 2 sc in the first dc along the edge, sc in each dc across with 2 sc in the last dc. Do the same as the other side, put 3 sc in each space created by the dc. Join with slip stitch to the beginning edge.

Slip stitch in the next 26 sc.

So far, we have actually been working on the front side of the tissue holder, meaning the side that we want people to see. Take your work and put the front side on the bottom. Fold the two ends into the middle of the work where they are touching. You hook should be on the edge closest to you. This is where we are going to join the top edge with the bottom edge. Take your work and pick it up with the folds facing away from you.

Take your hook and put it through the next sc and through the slip stitch across on the other edge. YO and pull your yarn through both the slip stitch and sc. You’ll have two loops on the hook. YO and pull the yarn through both loops. Continue this until you reach the first corner. Continue for a couple of stitches into the corner. Make sure you have the other folded edge ready to go. Take your hook and put it through the next sc and through the sc across on the other edge. YO and pull your yarn through both sc.

Turn your work where the folded edges are facing you. This part might be a little tricky, but we’ve got to get to the other side and the purpose is not having to worry about cutting your yarn. Remember where we put the sc in the dc? We want to come across those with slip stitches. Look at where the yarn is making a loop on the dc. There’s a stitch coming out of that loop. This is where we want to slip stitch into. There are nine of these to slip stitch into to get you back across to the top edge.

Slip stitch in the next 29 stitches.

Take your hook and put it through the next sc and through the slip stitch across on the other edge. YO and pull your yarn through both the slip stitch and sc. You’ll have two loops on the hook. YO and pull the yarn through both loops. Continue this until you reach the first corner. Continue for a couple of stitches into the corner. Make sure you have the other folded edge ready to go. Take your hook and put it through the next sc and through the sc across on the other edge. YO and pull your yarn through both sc.

Slip stitch across this edge just like the other edge to make the sides uniform. Fasten off and weave in your ends and you’re done! Slip in your package of tissues and you’re ready to roll!

This pattern is of my own design. Any questions or comments need to be addressed to Pamela Foreman of Crafting 101 and Random Thoughts by Pam. No posting of this pattern on other websites or in publications is permitted. Linking to this specific pattern is allowed. Copies of this pattern may be printed for personal use only, no selling of this pattern is permitted.

So I thought for today’s project, I’d stick with a bathroom theme since we did the soap holder yesterday. The pattern for today is for a face cloth. They are smaller than washcloths, meant just for the face and for night time use and not for cleaning the sink with. Make both of these in coordinating colors for a great gift! Enjoy!

Face Cloth
by Pamela Foreman

1 Skein of cotton yarn (or you can use scraps of yarn)
H hook
needle
scissors

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sp - space
nx - next
beg - beginning

Directions:

Ch 4, join to make a ring

Round 1: Ch 3, 9 dc in ring, join

Round 2: Ch 1, (2 sc in nx dc, sc in nx dc) around, join

Round 3: Ch 3, (2 dc in nx sc, 1 dc in nx sc) around, dc in same sp as beg. ch 3, join

Round 4: Repeat round 2, end with a sc in same sp as beg. ch 1, join

Round 5:  Ch 3, (2 dc in nx sc, 1 dc in nx sc) around, join

Round 6: Ch 1, (sc in nx dc 3 times, 2 sc in nx dc) around, end with sc in last dc, join, fasten off, weave in ends

This pattern is of my own design. Any questions or comments need to be addressed to Pamela Foreman of Crafting 101 and Random Thoughts by Pam. No posting of this pattern on other websites or in publications is permitted. Linking to this specific pattern is allowed. Copies of this pattern may be printed for personal use only, no selling of this pattern is permitted.

Today’s project is quick and easy! Can be done in less than an hour, maybe faster.  These make great gifts too for anyone! Be sure to use cotton yarn since this will be in the water everyday and you’ll want to be able to wash it without it shrinking! You’ll also be able to get many of these out of one skein so make away! Enjoy!

Soap Holder
by Pamela Foreman

1 Skein of cotton yarn (or you can use scraps of yarn)
H hook
needle
scissors

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
sp - space
nx - next

Directions:

Ch 3, join to make a ring

Round 1: Ch 1, 5 sc in ring, join (6sc)

Round 2: Ch 2, (hdc in nx 2 sc, 2 hdc in nx sc) twice, join (9 hdc)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same sp, 2 dc in each hdc around, join  (18 dc)

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in each dc around (18 dc)

Round 5 - 9: repeat Round 4

Round 10: Ch 4, sk dc, dc in nx dc, (ch 1, sk dc, dc in nx dc) repeat around, end with ch 1, join

Round 11: Ch 3, (dc in ch 1 sp, dc in nx dc) around, join

Round 12: Ch 1, sc in each dc, join, fasten off and weave in ends

Turn your project inside out. To make the tie, chain 50 and pull the last chain to cut it off. Make two knots at the end of each end and cut off the leftover ends. Weave the tie through the spaces made in Round 10, pull tight, tie in a pretty bow! You can either put a bar of soap in it when giving it as a gift or put the soap holder in a cute bag with a new bar of soap.

This pattern is of my own design. Any questions or comments need to be addressed to Pamela Foreman of Crafting 101 and Random Thoughts by Pam. No posting of this pattern on other websites or in publications is permitted. Linking to this specific pattern is allowed. Copies of this pattern may be printed for personal use only, no selling of this pattern is permitted.

Good day! I hope you were able to make the small bag from yesterday. My girls love these type of bags! Today we are going to make a set of coasters. They are simple and easy and can be gone in an afternoon. Enjoy!

Coaster Set
by Pamela Foreman

Materials:
1 Skein of cotton yarn (or you can use scraps of yarn)
H hook
needle
scissors

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
beg. - beginning
sp - space

Directions:

Ch 4, join to make a circle

Round 1: Ch 3, 11 dc in circle, join to beg. ch 3(12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in nx dc (2 dc in nx dc, 1 dc in nx dc) around, join to beg. ch 3 (18 dc)

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same sp, 2dc in each dc around, join to beg. ch 3 (36 dc)

Round 4: Ch 4, dc in same sp, [skip dc, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in nx dc)] continue around until you are 2 dc away from beginning. Ch 1, join to beg. ch 4 in 3rd ch, fasten off, weave in ends.

This pattern is of my own design. Any questions or comments need to be addressed to Pamela Foreman of Crafting 101 and Random Thoughts by Pam. No posting of this pattern on other websites or in publications is permitted. Linking to this specific pattern is allowed. Copies of this pattern may be printed for personal use only, no selling of this pattern is permitted.

So this week is all about making fun things with our new crochet skills. I have five patterns that I’ve created myself just for you to perfect your crocheting skills. I hope that you will enjoy each one and send me pictures!

Small Shoulder Bag
by Pamela Foreman

Materials:
1 Skein of acrylic yarn
H hook
tapestry needle
scissors

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
ss - slip stitch
hdc - half-double crochet
dc - double crochet
beg. - beginning
st - stitch(es)
sp - space

Directions:

Round 1: Ch 22, hdc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in each ch across, DO NOT TURN WORK, 2 hdc in same space as the last hdc in the row, hdc in each ch across to the last chain (you’re working in the bottom of the beg. chains), 2 hdc in last chain, join to beg. ch 2 to join (40 hdc)

Round 2: Do not turn your work, we’ll be working in the rounds from now on. Ch 2, hdc in each hdc around, ending with joining with beg. ch 2

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in each hdc around, join with beg. ch 3

Rounds 4 - 6: Repeat Round 3

Round 7: Ch 3, 6 dc, (ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc) twice, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 16 dc, (ch 2, sk 2 dc) twice, ch 2, 5 dc, join with beg. ch 3

Round 8: Ch 3, 6 dc, 2 dc in ch 2 sp, dc in nx dc, (ch 2, dc in nx dc) twice, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 13 dc, (ch 2, dc in nx dc) twice, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 3 dc, join with beg. ch 3

Round 9: Ch 3, 3 dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc, (ch 2, dc in nx dc) twice, 2 dc in ch 2 sp, 10 dc, (ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc) twice, (ch 2, dc in nx dc) twice, 2 dc in ch 2 sp, dc, join with beg. ch 3

Round 10: ch 3, dc around putting 2 dc in each ch 2 sp, 1 dc in each dc, join with beg. ch 3

Round 11 - 14: Ch 3, dc around, join with beg. ch 3

Round 15: Ch 1, sc in each dc around, join with beg. ch 1, DO NOT FASTEN OFF

To make handle: Ch 100, join with sc on opposite side of bag, sc up the handle, join to bag with sc, sc around to the other handle, sc in same st as handle, sc around other side of bag, ss to join. Fasten off, weave in ends.

This pattern is of my own design. Any questions or comments need to be addressed to Pamela Foreman of Crafting 101 and Random Thoughts by Pam. No posting of this pattern on other websites or in publications is permitted. Linking to this specific pattern is allowed. Copies of this pattern may be printed for personal use only, no selling of this pattern is permitted.

Flower in the Middle Granny Square
by Pamela Foreman

Materials:
1 Skein of acrylic yarn
H hook
tapestry needle
scissors

Abbreviations:
ch - chain
ss - slip stitch
hdc - half-double crochet
dc - double crochet
beg. - beginning
st - stitch(es)
sp - space

Directions:

Ch 4, join to make a circle

Ch 3, 2 dc in circle, (ch 2, 3 dc in circle) 3 times, ch 2, join with beg. ch 3

SS in next 2 dc, SS in ch 2 space, ch 2, (2 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc) in ch 2 space, *ch 2, (3 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc) in ch 2 space, * repeat from * to * twice more, ch 2, join to beg. ch 2

SS in next 2 dc, SS in ch 2 space, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 space, * ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 space, * ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 space, * repeat from * to * twice, ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2, join with beg. ch 3

SS in next 2 dc, SS in ch 2 space, ch 2, (2 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc) in ch 2 space, *(ch 2, 3 hdc in ch 2 space) twice, ch 2, (3 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc) in ch 2 space, * repeat from * to * twice, (ch 2, 3 hdc in ch 2 space) twice, ch 2, join to beg. ch 2

SS in next 2 dc, SS in ch 2 space, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 space, * ch 2, (3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2) 3 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 space, * ch 2, (3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2) 3 times, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 space, * repeat from * to * twice, ch 2, 3 dc in ch 2 space, ch 2) 3 times, join with beg. ch 3

Ch 1, sc in next 2 dc, 3 sc in ch 2 space, sc in next 3 dc, * (sc in ch 2 space, sc in next 3 dc) 4 times, 3 sc in ch 2 space, sc in next 3 dc, * repeat from * to * twice, (sc in ch 2 space, sc in next 3 dc) 3 times, sc in ch 2 space, join with beg. sc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

This pattern is of my own design. Any questions or comments need to be addressed to Pamela Foreman of Crafting 101 and Random Thoughts by Pam. No posting of this pattern on other websites or in publications is permitted. Linking to this specific pattern is allowed. Copies of this pattern may be printed for personal use only, no selling of this pattern is permitted.

As promised, I am going to show you a new stitch in crocheting. It’s called a Half-Double Crochet. Basically, it’s almost like a double crochet, you just skip a step to make the half-double crochet. Here we go!

Half-Double Crochet

Chain 11 with a “H” hook. Wrap your yarn around your hook and put it through the second stitch from the hook. Wrap your yarn around your hook and pull it through. You should have three loops on your hook.

Wrap your yarn around your hook one more time and pull it through all three loops. You’re done!

This is what it looks like once you’ve done one row of half-double crochets. You should have ten total.

The last picture is once you’ve turned your work, chained 2 and then gone across the row.

Sorry that some of the photos are blurry. I just couldn’t get the camera to focus today! But this is a simple stitch, one that’s in between a single crochet and a double crochet.

Tomorrow I will have another granny square for you to make incorporating the half-double crochet stitch. It’ll be fun! How are those granny squares coming? Send me pictures! By the end of the month, we’ll be able to make a small afghan if you’ve just made one of each or a large afghan if you made more. TTFN!